MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Former Morgantown city councilor and deputy mayor, Democrat Rachel Fetty Anderson will face incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito in the fall. Anderson won 33 percent of the statewide primary vote in a five-way race for the nomination.
On MetroNews’ “Talkline,” she said as many as 60 percent of Democrats at the federal level want to see more progressive policies. Voters are calling for candidates to be loyal to voters and reject financial support from outside entities.
“Particularly at the federal level we’re looking for someone who does not accept a lot of corporate or industry money and a lot of PAC funds,” Anderson said. “We’re looking for someone who is going to represent the people who vote for them, and we’re looking for someone who can really make a difference in West Virginia.”
A pro-choice candidate, Anderson wants to ensure women the right to reproductive health. She also said women lack basic respect and that dignity should be restored in the workplace and at home.
“The issue of abortion—that is one medical procedure that some women need or desire,” Anderson said. “This desire for full equality, full respect, equal treatment, and full dignity for women needs to be transformative and across the board.”
The Republican Party, in her opinion, is owned by lobbyists and large corporate donors. During this primary cycle it was the governor who solicited funds from inside and outside the state to fund the fight against members of his own party.
“I think we’re at a point where the Republican Party is no longer what it once was,” Anderson said. “You all have been talking for a while now about the amount of money that’s been dumped into these races, whether by Governor Morrissey or by the Republican Party and their Republican donors.”
The goal is to use money from big corporations and political action committees to get and keep control of state government. She said they’ll use that control to further their economic goals without regard for people, property, or the environment.
“Trying to maintain control of these statehouses, and the way they do it is on social, cultural issues,” Anderson said. “But the purpose is really to get deregulation to move data centers into West Virginia and every other state, for that matter.”
In a time when the demand for energy is climbing, she hopes to improve the quality of life for West Virginians regardless of their income bracket. She said residents of the state have been calling for someone who can take their fight to Washington D.C. and make progress for the people.
“We’re the fifth largest producer of energy in the country, and we have the 51st median income, and that’s an intolerable challenge for families here,” Anderson said. “We honestly can’t take it anymore.”